
Apex Legends Is Finally Making Finishers Worthwhile
The new Season 3 update also makes gold body shields worth picking up.
The new season of Apex Legends just dropped, and buried in the update's lengthy list of changes and additions is one that should make the most fiendish players cackle with glee: every Legend now has the Executioner perk, meaning successful finishers give you a full shield recharge.
The Executioner change leads the list of Apex's meta changes in the Season 3 update notes. Now that every Legend always gets their shields topped up for a finisher, the moves are now far more than a way to style on your opponents. Especially in Apex's early rounds when folks haven't loaded up on ammo and shield cells, doing a finisher could net you a completed kill andand refresh your extra protection layer when you'd otherwise be just as at-risk by punching or shooting a downed enemy to death.
Previously, the Executioner perk was limited to the Legendary (gold) body shield, which grants 100 shield health to wearers just like the Epic (purple) body shield. Since finishers take a few seconds to play out and leave you exposed during use, many players simply ignored the perk while using Legendary shields, especially in the late-game. Why would you risk it for the recharge when you can move to cover and pop a few shield cells instead?
Since Legendary body shields need some kind of sweetener to make them better than the Epic variety, they've taken the perk from a different piece of Legendary loot. Now gold shields have the Fast Use perk, which speeds up the amount of time it takes to use healing items. Fast Use was previously the perk assigned to the Legendary backpack, which now has a brand-new Guardian Angel perk which grants bonus shields and health to downed teammates upon revival.
While the new World's Edge map and Crypto are Season 3's highest-profile additions to Apex Legends, the full patch notes list tons of small tweaks and additions that could shake up the game's meta in considerable ways. For more information on what's new in Apex Legends, check out USG's Season 3 guide.
Read this next
You Can Dress Up Apex Legends' Robot as the Droid From Jedi: Fallen Order
Pathfinder looks good with BD-1's red racing stripes.
It's About to Get Easier to Get Cosmetic Items in Apex Legends
Along with a new level cap come several dozen loot packs.
Apex Legends' Dropship Has Become a Fight Club With the Lights Turned Off
Lifeline mains, you're needed now more than ever.
Thank God Apex Legends Finally Has a Proper Training Mode
Apex Legends introduces a new training mode where you can finally test out every character.
Apex Legends Adds Another Use for its Most Pointless Currency
The latest update finally gives players another way to spend those Legend Tokens.
USG's Extra Life Stream Kicks Off This Weekend, with Guests and Giveaways - When and Where to Watch
We're streaming until (one of us) drops!
2
Apex Legends Embraces the Buddy System With Limited-Time Duos Mode
Like Solos mode before it, Apex is giving two-person squads a spin.
More News
Prologue, PlayerUnknown's Mysterious Next Project, Will Not be a Shooter
It isn't PUBG 2, either.
4
Pokemon is Getting a New Series of Animated Shorts Set in the Galar Region
The hopes and dreams of Galar region's trainers are coming soon to a small screen near you.
4
Exclusive: Check Out This Chill Track From the Composer of Ninja Gaiden and Tecmo Bowl
Keiji Yamagishi puts his spin on a track from Card of Darkness.
3
You Can Hear Resident Evil 3's Nemesis In The Newly Re-Released Resident Evil 2 Demo
S.T.A.R.S., watch your back.
4
More on PC
What Was Your Favorite Reveal At The Game Awards 2019?
COMMUNITY QUESTION | It was another packed night for game announcements. What do you think was the best of them?
15
Prologue, PlayerUnknown's Mysterious Next Project, Will Not be a Shooter
It isn't PUBG 2, either.
4
The 15 Best Games You Probably Missed in 2019
From flight sim to train sim, these are the best games that probably slipped past your radar this year.
8
You Can Hear Resident Evil 3's Nemesis In The Newly Re-Released Resident Evil 2 Demo
S.T.A.R.S., watch your back.
4
Game Awards 2019 Recap: The Night’s Big Trailers and Reveals
Sizzle reels for everything from upcoming DLC to the next Xbox.
8
Borderlands 3 Shift Codes List and Golden Keys (December 2019)
All the info you need on getting and redeeming SHiFT Codes in Borderlands 3, plus how to get Golden Keys to earn loot.
GTA Online: What is the Payout of the Diamond Casino Heist?
We take a look at how much money you can make in the new Diamond Casino Heist.
More Battle Royale Games
Here's a Trailer For Something By PlayerUnknown Called Prologue
It's a new project from the maker of PUBG.
1
Fortnite Just Brought Old-School Split-Screen Multiplayer to Modern Consoles
Team up for duos and squads action on one couch and one console.
1
If You're Bad at Tetris 99, You Can Now Squad Up For Help
The puzzle-battle royale hybrid just got friendlier.
1
The New Battle Royale on the Streets is Forza Horizon 4's Eliminator
72 Mini Coopers drop somewhere in the UK.
1
Newsletter
Subscribe to our weekly newsletters
Get the best of USG in your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters.